SOPRANO

Renée was recently asked, “How do you market yourself? Actor, singer, director, playwright/librettist, teaching artist, clinician, mentor, consultant?”. “Well…” she answered, “I do all of those things. Occasionally, on the same day! “. A series of diverse opportunities over the past 27 years are to blame for this metamorphosis from young, single minded, very peppy, soprano to a passionate performing arts professional who lovingly does all the things.  Her adventures have taken her all over Europe, Canada, Korea, Central Asia, and the UK with stints in London’s West and off West- Ends. 

Highlights as a portfolio artist include, English Touring Opera (company principal and teaching artist), D’Oyly Carte Opera Company (Savoy Theatre, 2002 Season, ensemble and swing), The Arcola Theatre (Marsinah in Kismet), Opera York (Director- Le Nozze di Figaro, L’elisir d’amore, Il Barbiere di Siviglia), Opera Revue (Blitzkreig Cabaret), and quite a lot of food preparations and consumption, whilst writing and producing with long time creative partner Allyson Devenish (Rubi: Shades of Love, Struggle and Protest). 

“But what has she done lately?” 2022 has seen Renee as the intimacy director, projection designer, and production consultant for The Pocket: a folk opera (Peckham Fringe Festival, London, England), a teaching artist (librettist/director for OperaMakers; Canadian Opera Company), a principal performer in Risk: A Climate Cabaret, Guest Coach (National Opera Studio, London, England and SOLLT in Toronto), a faculty member on the Canadian Opera Company Summer Intensive for Advanced Artists (dramatic integration), and a teacher/coach to the artists whom she is honoured to teach and coach on a one to one basis.  Upcoming trouble includes: adjudicating (Ottawa Kiwanis Festival), dramaturgy and direction on several projects as a Teaching Artist with the Canadian Opera Company, and producing/directing some exciting, soon to be manifested projects. 

BARITONE

Although not a doctor, but plays one in many 200 year old operas, Cape Breton baritone Gregory Finney has been harassing the Toronto Opera scene since about 2007. Hailed as “Not the strongest singer onstage” by Opera Canada, his ability to make people laugh and being born/identifying as a cis-male has made him a regular feature on Toronto stages, desired or not. Foisted on audiences in such shows as Pirates of Penzance (Maj. Gen. Stanley), Nozze di Figaro (Conte), Figaro’s Wedding (Bartolo/Antonio) & La bohème (Benoit/Alcindoro) - the Against the Grain Theatre ones, Die Zauberflöte (Papageno), Falstaff (Bardolfo), La Tragédie de Carmen (Escamillo), and Die Fledermaus (Orlofsky) for which an official apology to all Mezzos has been issued. Greg has also begun his second series of assaults on Opera as a director with productions of Bluebeard’s Castle, Nozze, and Carmen with more to come. 

DANCER

A’Slayna , Canada’s versatile Vixen combines high kicks and bad dad jokes to make your dreams come true!

Appearing with Cake Cabaret , producing Fellowstrip of the Rings and creating a filthy Valentine’s show with Opera Revue, all within 6 weeks, A’Slayna is creating artistic mayhem as quickly as possible!